The Classic
over again. What makes it so good? Using fresh roasted red peppers
For 25 years, chef Frank Stitt's Highlands Bar and Grill in
Birmingham, Ala., has served a platter of pimento cheese and
crudité to regulars who know to ask for it (it's not the menu).
 1 pound sharp yellow cheddar
 ¼ pound (½ cup) cream cheese
 1 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
 3 large red bell peppers (roasted, peeled, seeded and
chopped)
 ½ cup mayonnaise
 1 teaspoon sugar
 splash of hot sauce (such as Tabasco or Cholula)
 several splashes of Worcestershire and
 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
The recipe: Shred 1 pound sharp yellow cheddar, then blend it with
¼ pound cream cheese, 1 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper, 3
large red bell peppers (roasted, peeled, seeded and chopped), ½
cup mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon sugar, a splash of hot sauce (such as
Tabasco or Cholula), several splashes of Worcestershire and 1/8
teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional). Serve chilled.
This is the pimento cheese that I crave and the one I make over and
instead of chopped red peppers from a jar. It takes it to a whole
new level. This recipe is from Frank Stitt, a famous Southern Chef
who features this in his restaurant Highlands Bar and Grill in
Birmingham, AL and his cookbook, Southern Table.
Ingredients
 1 pound sharp cheddar cheese
 1/4 pound cream cheese, softened
 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
 3 large red bell peppers, roasted, peeled, seeded, and
chopped (may want to use 2)
 1/2 cup homemade mayonnaise (I used Hellman’s)
 1 teaspoon sugar
 Splash of hot sauce, such as tabasco or cholula
 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Directions
Grate the cheddar in the food processor with the grating disk or
grate by hand on a box grater. Using the food processor, mix the
mayo, cream cheese, pepper, sugar, hot sauce and cayenne pepper.
Mix well. Then, gently pulse in the 1/2 shredded cheddar cheese. Do
not mix too finely. Add remaining shredded cheese by hand. *Mix in
the chopped roasted red peppers BY HAND. They get too small if
added to food processor.